Alexandria was founded by Alexander the Great (356-323 BC). It is Egypt’s second city and boasts a thriving port on its 32 ks coastline along the Mediterranean Sea. Even with the high rise buildings and industry, the sunset over the horizon is wonderful, breathing fresh air, watching fishing-boats pull into port and seeing seagulls fly overhead. The Corniche’s famous Fish Market has been here for 200+ years with many portraits of famous celebrities there, encouraging visitors to join in. The seafood restaurants are ocean-to-table.
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The Corniche
The Corniche waterfront promenade runs 20 km length. One of the most beautiful views of the city skyline can be found on a ship sailing around the harbour, and tourists can hire a small boat. Walking along the Corniche is most popular with locals at sunset: couples strolling, people serving coffee, fishermen looking for dinner, friends meeting for drinks. It is lively but extremely safe.
A library was built in 246 BC, holding c400,000 scrolls at its peak. All the world’s scripted knowledge was held in this, the Great Library of Alexandria. It was the largest and most famous library in the world before it was destroyed in a great fire, after Julius Caesar was besieged! Caesar was captured in 48 BC with his soldiers setting fire to his ships. The fire spread to the city, sadly including the library.
The Old Library was a cultural learning centre for the arts and philosophy, paving the way forward for worldly education in scripture, thought, mind and human existence - a place of understanding of people globally. Visit the Old Library of Alexandria now, but all that is left of this great learning centre are the storerooms under the extremely dark ruins of the Serapeum. Recently Alexandria decided to honour its ancient library by building a new one, Bibliotheca. Opened in 2002, it’s the largest learning centre in the Middle East.
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A library was built in 246 BC, holding c400,000 scrolls at its peak. All the world’s scripted knowledge was held in this, the Great Library of Alexandria. It was the largest and most famous library in the world before it was destroyed in a great fire, after Julius Caesar was besieged! Caesar was captured in 48 BC with his soldiers setting fire to his ships. The fire spread to the city, sadly including the library.
The Old Library was a cultural learning centre for the arts and philosophy, paving the way forward for worldly education in scripture, thought, mind and human existence - a place of understanding of people globally. Visit the Old Library of Alexandria now, but all that is left of this great learning centre are the storerooms under the extremely dark ruins of the Serapeum. Recently Alexandria decided to honour its ancient library by building a new one, Bibliotheca. Opened in 2002, it’s the largest learning centre in the Middle East.
Modern Bibliotheca
The Citadel of Qaitbay is a 1480 castle fortress on the edge of the Mediterranean sea, a very important defence stronghold built during the rule of Sultan Al-Ashraf Qa’it Bay. Qaitbay citadel has an interesting history that links it to the unique Lighthouse of Alexandria, completed 270 BC. The Lighthouse was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It helped guide Nile River ships around the city’s busy harbour, until the Arab Conquest, and then natural disasters (eg C11th earthquake) changed the lighthouse’s shape. They built a mosque on the top of the lighthouse, but it too was destroyed.
Qaitbay Citadel was built on the exact site of Pharos Island Lighthouse, to protect Alexandria from crusaders who attacked by sea and to defend against Turks in the Ottoman Empire. Climb up the 4 floors, each floor having a great ocean view with waves crashing on rocks and fisherman claiming their catch. Beyond the Citadel, on Pharos Island near the entrance, are very colourful murals using recycled seashells made into mosaics, an art representing the city.
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After the Jan 2011 Revolution, several tourist facilities were established to serve park-goers, including integrated restaurants, chalets and cafés. In 2013, some cabin tenants on Aida and Cleopatra Beaches failed to pay their rent so President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi ordered redevelopment of the area. He created a new tourist destination, and the historic cabins were demolished.
The Cecil Hotel (1929) is very fine, right in the middle of the Corniche. With a wide view of the Mediterranean, the hotel occupies Saad Zaghloul Square where Cleopatra’s Needle stood until being taken to London. The colonial facade of the post-WW1 era constantly welcomed famous guests eg Winston Churchill and Omar Sharif! Despite modernisation, the hotel has stayed true to its roots eg its historical birdcage elevator! The massive rooms have high ceilings, and balconies with stunning views of the ocean, Corniche and Citadel of Qaitbay.
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Qaitbay Citadel was built on the exact site of Pharos Island Lighthouse, to protect Alexandria from crusaders who attacked by sea and to defend against Turks in the Ottoman Empire. Climb up the 4 floors, each floor having a great ocean view with waves crashing on rocks and fisherman claiming their catch. Beyond the Citadel, on Pharos Island near the entrance, are very colourful murals using recycled seashells made into mosaics, an art representing the city.
mosaics
Some attractions like the Montazah Palace and Gardens, Pompey’s Pillar and the Catacombs are more distant from the centre of the city. The Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa started in C2nd AD. Apparently it was only in 1900 that a donkey-and-cart fell down a hole underground, leading to the catacombs’ discovery! The name referred to the heaps of broken pottery found in a mix of Egyptian, Roman and Greek carving styles. It’s still an active dig, so descend the spiral staircase to see statues, sarcophagus and murals carved out of the bedrock below.
Catacombs of Kom El Shoqafa
Pompey’s Pillar was originally built by the Romans as a victory column, built in c300 AD to honour Emperor Diocletian’s win over a city revolt. It was one of the largest ancient monoliths ever raised: 27 ms high. Alongside the column, see 2 Roman copies of the sphinx statue
Pompey’s Pillar
Montazah Palace (1892), a residence of the former royal family, was opened to the public after the 1952 Revolution. A historical text Montazah: The Royal Palaces and Gardens noted that c580 cabins were built on the property’s beaches i.e Aida, Nefertiti, Cleopatra and Semiramis, near the water sports.
The former Salamlek Palace (1892) was converted into a 5-star hotel with luxurious rooms a la royal family, with plush antiques and chandeliers. The beautiful Haramlek Palace has also been used as an official guest house, joining the group of Egypt’s presidential palaces. Then other entertainment facilities were added eg a casino.
The delightful Montazah Gardens cover 150 acres and are full of palm-trees, islands, royal palaces, tower and lighthouses! Coach trips often visit from the cruise ships offshore. The best part is walking to Tea Palace Island, an island linked by bridge with its restaurants and boat club.
The former Salamlek Palace (1892) was converted into a 5-star hotel with luxurious rooms a la royal family, with plush antiques and chandeliers. The beautiful Haramlek Palace has also been used as an official guest house, joining the group of Egypt’s presidential palaces. Then other entertainment facilities were added eg a casino.
The delightful Montazah Gardens cover 150 acres and are full of palm-trees, islands, royal palaces, tower and lighthouses! Coach trips often visit from the cruise ships offshore. The best part is walking to Tea Palace Island, an island linked by bridge with its restaurants and boat club.
Montazah Gardens and tower
Montazah Gardens and King Farouk Palace
After the Jan 2011 Revolution, several tourist facilities were established to serve park-goers, including integrated restaurants, chalets and cafés. In 2013, some cabin tenants on Aida and Cleopatra Beaches failed to pay their rent so President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi ordered redevelopment of the area. He created a new tourist destination, and the historic cabins were demolished.
The Cecil Hotel (1929) is very fine, right in the middle of the Corniche. With a wide view of the Mediterranean, the hotel occupies Saad Zaghloul Square where Cleopatra’s Needle stood until being taken to London. The colonial facade of the post-WW1 era constantly welcomed famous guests eg Winston Churchill and Omar Sharif! Despite modernisation, the hotel has stayed true to its roots eg its historical birdcage elevator! The massive rooms have high ceilings, and balconies with stunning views of the ocean, Corniche and Citadel of Qaitbay.
Mosque of Abu Abbas al Mursi
My son married into a family from French-speaking Alexandria who believed it was the most beautiful city in the universe. As wonderful as Melbourne was, after they arrived in 1957 their memories never faded.